Health risks associated with obesity are more likely a factor of the localization of fat excess, rather than of elevated BW per se. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to determine the effect of a long-term high energy diet on BW, fat accumulation and localization. Eight Shetland pony mares, 3 to 7 years old, were randomly divided into a control and a high energy (HE) diet group fed either maintenance or double maintenance energy requirements (200% net energy (NE)) for two consecutive summers, with a low energy diet in the winter in between. Body condition score (BCS) did not differ between the groups at the onset of the study (control 5.6±0.75 v. HE 6.3±0.5). From 12 weeks after starting the diet, ultrasonography of five different locations (retroperitoneal, axillary, withers, intercostal and rump) for adipose deposition, BCS and BW were measured monthly during the period that ponies received different diets. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model with post hoc Bonferroni testing. P values <0.05 were considered significant. At week 12 after the onset of the diet, fat thickness in the HE group was significantly greater than in the control group. During the monitoring period, the HE group showed a significant increase in mean (±SE) BW (+52%, 265±13.94kg) and BCS (+70%; to 9.0±0.4), while the control group was unchanged (BW 160±13.98 kg; BCS 3.8±0.4). At all locations, the fat depth in the HE group increased significantly, with the highest increase noted for retroperitoneal deposits. The conclusions were that a 200% NE diet induced subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat accumulation, with the greatest increase in intra-abdominal deposits. The moderate increase of the subcutaneous fat depth followed by a plateau phase suggests the existence of a limit of adipose tissue expandability, as in man.

In this study, we examined the effects of pre-cooling on thermophysiological responses in horses exercising in moderate environmental conditions (average wet bulb globe temperature: 18.5 ± 3.8 °C). Ten international eventing horses performed moderate intensity canter training on two separate days, and were either pre-cooled with cold-water rinsing (5–9 °C for 8 ± 3 min; cooling) or were not pre-cooled (control). We determined velocity (V), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (Tre,), shoulder and rump skin temperature (Tshoulder and Trump), plasma lactate concentration (LA), gross sweat loss (GSL), and local sweat rate (LSR), as well as sweat sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations. The effect of pre-cooling on Tre was dependent on time; after 20 min of exercise the effect was the largest (estimate: 0.990, 95% likelihood confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.987, 0.993) compared to the control condition, resulting in a lower median Tre of 0.3 °C. Skin temperature was also affected by pre-cooling compared to the control condition (Tshoulder: −3.30 °C, 95% CI: −3.739, −2.867; Trump: −2.31 °C, 95% CI: −2.661, −1.967). V, HR, LA, GSL, LSR and sweat composition were not affected by pre-cooling. In conclusion, pre-cooling by cold-water rinsing could increase the margin for heat storage, allowing a longer exercise time before a critical Tre is reached and, therefore, could potentially improve equine welfare during competition.

BackgroundOrganic dust is associated with Equine asthma. Ionization should reduce airborne dust levels.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of ionization of air, type of bedding, and feed on the levels of airborne dust, endotoxin, and fungal colonies in horse stables.Animals24 healthy University‐owned horses occupied the stables.MethodsA randomized controlled cross‐over study. Four units with 6 stables were equipped with an ionization installation (25 VA, 5000 Volt Direct Current). Horses were kept either on wood shavings and fed haylage (2 units), or on straw and fed dry hay (2 units). Measurements were performed with and without activated ionization, during daytime and nighttime, repeatedly over the course of a week and repeatedly during 4‐6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed effect model with Akaike's Information Criterion for model reduction and 95% profile (log) likelihood confidence intervals (CI).ResultsIonization did not alter concentrations of dust, endotoxin, or fungi, fewer. In the units with straw and hay, the concentration of dust, endotoxin, and fungi (difference in logarithmic mean 1.92 (95%CI 1.71‐2.12); 2.86 (95%CI 2.59‐3.14); 1.75 (95%CI 1.13‐2.36)) were significantly higher compared to wood shavings and haylage.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe installation of a negative air‐ionizer in the horse stable did not reduce concentrations of dust, endotoxin, and viable fungal spores. The substantial effect of low dust bedding and feed is confirmed.

Summary: A 15-year old draft horse mare was presented to the University Clinic for evaluation of lethargy, anorexia, ptyalism, weight loss and ventral oedema. Clinical examination and rectal palpation revealed generalised lymphadenopathy and numerous firm subcutaneous and abdominal masses of various sizes. Transcutaneous ultrasonography revealed significant bilateral pleural fluid accumulation and a single hypoechoic structure in the abdomen lateral to the liver. Blood analysis showed several abnormalities including a marked leucocytosis with an increased number of segmented neutrophils, atypical lymphocytes and monocytosis, suggestive of leukaemic lymphoma. A significant hyperproteinaemia with a hypoalbuminemia and a monoclonal gammopathy was identified. At necropsy myriad masses presented through the whole body. Histology confirmed the suspicion of lymphoma, which was classified as a T-cell rich B-cell multicentric lymphoma. This article describes the clinical and pathologic findings of this case of leukaemic lymphoma.

Summary A 2‐month‐old Warmblood colt presented with recurrent colic and regurgitation. Gastroscopy, performed on several occasions, and barium‐contrast radiography revealed severe squamous gastric ulceration and stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus. Treatment with omeprazole reduced the extent and severity of the gastric ulcers but did not affect the stenosis. The foal was euthanised because of a poor prognosis, and post‐mortem examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Severe squamous gastric ulceration, granulation tissue formation and cicatrisation of deep gastric lesions were considered to have caused the stenosis. Gastroduodenal outflow obstruction is a recognised disorder in foals, but stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus has not been reported in foals or adult horses. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of severe squamous gastric ulceration, complicated by stenosis at the level of the margo plicatus, in a foal. Although rare, gastric stenosis should be considered in foals suffering recurrent colic and regurgitation.